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Eau de Honeymoon – Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Perfume Review

The Neroli Portofino Collection

Well the wedding has happened and it’s a great big smack bang of a return to normality for my new husband (I just love saying that word) and I. We had a truly wonderful time, the best time in fact, and once we get all of the photos back I will be sharing with you some of the fragrant treats we had during the day, which as you would expect were plentiful, so stay tuned for that!

Now the wedding is over, it’s time to think about the honeymoon and it’s a venture that requires a huge amount of thought. Does one opt for an active city break (I’m thinking Florence or even San Francisco) or a more relaxing trip to a Greek Island (Crete looks fab)? The choices are plentiful and I have to admit that the idea of blue skies, Greek food, sumptuous views and a private pool are most definitely calling my name.

One perfume that seems incredibly befitting of such a honeymoon getaway is Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino. Launched as part of the original crop of Private Blends in 2007, this ode to azure seas and skies has proved so popular that it has been repackaged, redistributed to a wider audience and evolved into an expansive range of bath and body products. Smelling the fragrance it is easy to understand it’s popularity, after all what is there not to like about a crisp, modern and intense take on the traditional ‘Eau de Cologne’?

First things first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room; at £140 for 50ml, Neroli Portofino is definitely pricey for an ‘Eau de Cologne’ (despite its Eau de Parfum concentration), but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it is an exceptionally well done interpretation on the cologne theme and certainly counts as one of the most enjoyable takes on neroli that I have ever personally smelled. The fact that it now comes in an incredibly cute 30ml size goes some way to making it more affordable however, whether you’re likely to splash out (no pun intended) on such a perfume is entirely down to how you feel about colognes.

From the first spritz, spray or splash, Neroli Portofino unleashes a bright, white sheet of shimmering citrus and blinding neroli that is both full bodied and clean. It brings to mind the image of rows of villas painted a blazing shade of white against a sparkling, turquoise sea. I’m not sure exactly what geographical location this fragrant image depicts but I do know that it is exotic and I desperately want to go there. It’s the kind of place where one can just soak up the sunshine, the local culture and the food simply through osmosis – no real activity is required and in fact, is actively discouraged.

Neroli really is the (rather unsurprising) star in Neroli Portofino. It positively buzzes with the kinetic energy of orange blossom and translucent honey, making for a zippy and entirely joyful summer accord. Interestingly though, this lively feeling is nicely contrasted by a more relaxed and in fact, incredibly languid base of musk that not only gives the whole perfume lift and buoyancy, but also softens it so that the sleepy feel of treading slowly on hot sands isn’t just a distant dream.

Kudos to Tom Ford for successfully reinventing the traditional Eau de Cologne and for turning it into something thoroughly modern, more present and marginally longer lasting. Neroli Portofino is clean, dazzling and wonderfully light. It’s one of those perfumes that perfectly captures the idea of shower-fresh skin and would be perfect for those days when it’s too hot to wear anything heavy or oppressive. In fact, it’s darn good for any day where one wishes to simply smell good and clean.

Firstly, congrats HUGELY to your happiness 😀 !!!
I just treated myself to a bottle of the body oil (I just wish it comes in a glass bottle rather than the drug store plastic bottle.).
I feel slightly unjustified to pay so much for a small bottle of the EdP though although it is very well crafted. I have kind of decided if I truly cave in one day and reach for it, I will DEFINITELY get the 250ml refill. The beautiful azure colour and bottle design? Drool.
I wish you a fab time wherever you are heading!

The bottle is a beautiful colour, isn’t it? The biggest one definitely brings about the best value per ml. I have a small 30ml and think that will last me some time. The body spray is a great accompaniment too.

Congratulations on getting married! All the best to you and your husband (:

Although I have never smelled Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford, I have been to the village of Portofino, and it is hands down the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited (the only place I’ve visited that literally brought tears to my eyes, never thought a physical location could do that before) – and the description you wrote matches it perfectly:

“…sparkling, turquoise sea. I’m not sure exactly what geographical location this fragrant image depicts but I do know that it is exotic and I desperately want to go there”

This fragrant image sure do sound like something one could experience while being there! There is an undeniable aura of luxury surrounding the place with all the yachts everywhere, but at the same time, the people living there are so incredibly nice and down-to-earth. Lovely, lovely place, and my craving for this perfume definitely increased with this review! I need to require a sample of this as soon as possible.

I can’t add much bout NP as yet to sniff it. However, thought I’d quickly 2nd ‘Rich’s suggestion, Santorini is indeed stunning. Easily my 2nd most memorable & enjoyable ‘get-away’ to date. However the beaches themselves, whilst still lovely, were actually the furthest from ‘white’, being instead a ‘volcanic’ pitch black (really quite strange – & if I’m honest I do still prefer them white). But on the bright side, it’s the closest you’ll ever get to a vacation in Atlantis. 🙂

My definite No.1 destination (clichéd or not) was without a doubt the Maldives – just GORJUSSS !!!

So ya get my vote on T too – great choice ! … Tho’ be prepared to come back with a whole new set of obsessions. Ever since, I’ve become totally bonsai MAD, plus a vintage kimono collector, just to mention a couple. (It pretty much completely changed my life & mindset.) – So yeah, a really perfect choice methinkz !

Also, Thomas, YES, NP does have a little more oomph, but is it really worth the EXTREME markup with 4711 out there?…just asking, not meaning to cause a ruckus…would appreciate your thoughts and other opinions are welcome…

Congratulations, Thomas! I can’t wait for the photos. I’m sure you gents were dapper as hell! 😉
As for NP, I have put my husband (we both have husbands! Yayyy!) on notice that if we ever suddenly become filthy rich, the first thing I will buy is that obscenely large, 8.5 oz. bottle of Neroli Portofino. A perfect choice for your honeymoon!

Big congratulations on your wedding – just a week ago today! I would always jump at a chance to go to Greece myself, and though the very lovely TF Neroli Portofino seems to be conjuring up a more refined yachting holiday in Italy(?), you can’t go wrong with a Greek Island honeymoon. It really can’t be beat for languid romanticism. After all, there’s *honey* drizzled on the old Total yoghurt? 😉 I haven’t been to Folegandros, but it is supposed to be dramatically beautiful. Santorini is also picture book pretty, though it gets very busy in high season. Have fun planning your trip!

[…] inside the Private Blend collection, the four colognes that currently comprise the series (Neroli Portofino, Mandarino di Amalfi, Costa Azzura, and now, Fleur de Portofino) tick all of the required boxes; […]